It is the school day right now, so this post won't be long, because I am working.
However I couldn't let my current train of thought get away from me without writing it down somewhere, and what better place than my blog so that everyone in the virtual world can see it.
Anyway, now that I'm done with that bit of sarcasm:
I am sitting in the teacher's lounge right now grading papers--narratives to be specific--and I am realizing how blessed and happy I am to be in my position.
I get to read my students' papers and learn more about them. I get to see them every day and find out how they are doing. I get to see them in the hallways and talk to them as friends. I get to live in a new country with an exciting and crazy culture.
But, better than all of these things, and far above any other things that have made me happy in the last 6 or so weeks is this:
I get to have the opportunity to earn the trust of my students.
It is really hard for me to put into words how blessed I feel because of this--which is saying a lot, because I am an English teacher.
I feel so blessed to be able to see my students and talk to them about their lives. To find out what is going good, what is going horrible, and what they are going through emotionally.
I love my students. I really do. I'm pretty sure anyone who has talked to me about my class will know this. I love my students. I love my students. And I am so happy to get to earn their trust.
Until next time. =+=
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Fiestas and dancing
The past week has been pretty crazy! On Monday, the week started off rough, so that wasn't exactly pleasant. Wednesday was fantastic! The 10th grade retreat was that day, so all of my students, myself, and several other staff members and administrators went to a retreat center for some games and worship and learning with the students. It was such a good time to get to just hang out with my students and get to know them outside of school. I love seeing them interact with each other without the pressure of a grade seeming over their head.
We got back to school just in time for the last period, so I still had my Self-Defense elective with my students. That was a blast. We worked on correct falls and take-downs. Perhaps it was a little too early to teach them take-downs, but we had a blast. We definitely will be working more on the falls, so that they can work on reaction time and instincts, but it actually was a blast seeing their reaction and ability increase even just over that hour!
Well, Thursday was a little uneventful--good classes, but other than that, looking back, it was sort of the "calm before the storm." Only eventful thing that happened was that I ran into an open window *rolls eyes* and got a great bit bump on my forehead, giving me a bit of a headache. Good for a laugh after the fact, though. Friday was Fiesta Catracha, translated, "Honduran party." haha. Basically, the whole school gets together and, instead of having classes, everyone has presentations/booths, games, dances, etc., celebrating being Honduran, or "Catracha/o." It was a super fun, super busy day. At the end of the day, every teacher I know was very ready to crash. It probably would have been a more enjoyable day, had I not been battling some stomach illness the past two days--up and down the whole night before and just overall nasty-feeling.
Anyway, Fiesta Catracha was still a blast, because I got to see the hard and fantastic work of my students pay off in their stands and booths representing different ethnic groups and regions of Honduras. They were absolutely fantastic and I learned so much more about Honduras and the people here, as well as got to see my students having fun with their projects!
Near the end of the Fiesta, there was a program in the big "polideportivo," or "poli," which is like a big concrete yard where they can play games or sports, etc., during free times, breaks or after school. So, all the students from all the school came and watched a program about Honduras. The craziest part was probably that, near the end of the program, several of the teachers got an opportunity to perform a dance we had been working on for about 2 weeks. Yes, I was in a traditional Honduran dance. There were 6 pairs that did it and it actually was a lot of fun. My students got a huge kick out of it.
So that was pretty much the end to the crazy week! I got home from school and made myself drink this nasty concoction to help with my stomach (it seriously worked...amazing stuff). Some people came over for dinner and games last night and stayed late and we had a wonderful jolly time.
After a VERY good night's sleep, now I sit, blogging and grading, and getting ready to leave for a weekend adventure with my ladies. We will be going to Valle for some needed R&R away from school and Tegus! More to come later, I'm sure!
=+=
We got back to school just in time for the last period, so I still had my Self-Defense elective with my students. That was a blast. We worked on correct falls and take-downs. Perhaps it was a little too early to teach them take-downs, but we had a blast. We definitely will be working more on the falls, so that they can work on reaction time and instincts, but it actually was a blast seeing their reaction and ability increase even just over that hour!
Well, Thursday was a little uneventful--good classes, but other than that, looking back, it was sort of the "calm before the storm." Only eventful thing that happened was that I ran into an open window *rolls eyes* and got a great bit bump on my forehead, giving me a bit of a headache. Good for a laugh after the fact, though. Friday was Fiesta Catracha, translated, "Honduran party." haha. Basically, the whole school gets together and, instead of having classes, everyone has presentations/booths, games, dances, etc., celebrating being Honduran, or "Catracha/o." It was a super fun, super busy day. At the end of the day, every teacher I know was very ready to crash. It probably would have been a more enjoyable day, had I not been battling some stomach illness the past two days--up and down the whole night before and just overall nasty-feeling.
Anyway, Fiesta Catracha was still a blast, because I got to see the hard and fantastic work of my students pay off in their stands and booths representing different ethnic groups and regions of Honduras. They were absolutely fantastic and I learned so much more about Honduras and the people here, as well as got to see my students having fun with their projects!
Near the end of the Fiesta, there was a program in the big "polideportivo," or "poli," which is like a big concrete yard where they can play games or sports, etc., during free times, breaks or after school. So, all the students from all the school came and watched a program about Honduras. The craziest part was probably that, near the end of the program, several of the teachers got an opportunity to perform a dance we had been working on for about 2 weeks. Yes, I was in a traditional Honduran dance. There were 6 pairs that did it and it actually was a lot of fun. My students got a huge kick out of it.
So that was pretty much the end to the crazy week! I got home from school and made myself drink this nasty concoction to help with my stomach (it seriously worked...amazing stuff). Some people came over for dinner and games last night and stayed late and we had a wonderful jolly time.
After a VERY good night's sleep, now I sit, blogging and grading, and getting ready to leave for a weekend adventure with my ladies. We will be going to Valle for some needed R&R away from school and Tegus! More to come later, I'm sure!
=+=
Sunday, September 8, 2013
New things, old things, and Tegucigalpa
Well, it has been a while since I have blogged about anything really, so I'm just going to give this a whirl and see how long the momentum lasts. I won't make it very long so those of you who are like me and "don't really read blogs" can read it if you feel like being daring.
Anyway, I am in Tegucigalpa and I love it. As it goes with life, there are things that are difficult and things that are weird, but overall, I really love where I am. Praise be to God!
I am living in a house with three other teachers from IST and we will get to host a student teacher starting in October while she is here. God definitely worked it out ahead of time, because my housemates and I get along swimmingly.
The second week of school has ended and tomorrow begins week three! It is hard to believe I have been here for almost a month already. Yet somehow, it has felt like home since day two. I love my class and students as well as my new city.
Anyway, I don't really have anything else to say right now, so maybe there will be more later.
Until next time, then.
Cheers!
=+=
Anyway, I am in Tegucigalpa and I love it. As it goes with life, there are things that are difficult and things that are weird, but overall, I really love where I am. Praise be to God!
I am living in a house with three other teachers from IST and we will get to host a student teacher starting in October while she is here. God definitely worked it out ahead of time, because my housemates and I get along swimmingly.
The second week of school has ended and tomorrow begins week three! It is hard to believe I have been here for almost a month already. Yet somehow, it has felt like home since day two. I love my class and students as well as my new city.
Anyway, I don't really have anything else to say right now, so maybe there will be more later.
Until next time, then.
Cheers!
=+=
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